Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta is pleased to announce The Home Depot Foundation has awarded the affiliate a $235,000 grant to provide 11 critical home repairs for veterans in Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding counties.
“The Home Depot Foundation’s commitment to honor veterans allows them to have better health and safety outcomes, and to live safely and age in place with dignity in the homes they know and love,” says Jessica Gill, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta. “With their past grants, Habitat has been able to significantly improve the quality of many lives in our community.”
Because of The Home Depot Foundation’s grant in 2023, our affiliate completed repairs for 14 veterans including roof, porch, window, deck and driveway repairs, insulation and weather stripping, plus many safety and accessibility upgrades like wheelchair ramps, and bathroom and doorway renovations to accommodate disabled veterans.
One recent repair has drastically improved the quality of life for Derrell, an Air Force Veteran who was an Airman 2nd class and was assigned as a Radio Operator. Once he left the Air Force, he joined the Army National Guard for a period as well. The 86-year-old now resides in Acworth with his wife of more than 60 years. Derrell takes care of his wife who has dementia and mobility issues. Habitat was able to install a chairlift, a widened porch, and retrofitted the bathroom to be handicap accessible. These repairs have been a blessing because they enable him and his wife Betty to stay in their house to age in place.
These critical repairs reduce the number of 911 calls for those that have fallen due to unsafe or inaccessible homes, improve health outcomes by ensuring more homes are free of wood rot, mold, and protection from the elements; improve community beautification by replacing old roofs, porches, railings, and siding; and improve overall mental health and wellness as many of these individuals are isolated and lack contact and support.